Tissue tensioning devices and related methods

ABSTRACT

Surgical devices configured to apply and hold a defined pre-set or pre-load tension to target tissue, such as, for example, a blood vessel, tendon or ligament during a surgical procedure.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/942,311, filed Nov. 9, 2010, which claims the benefit of and priorityto U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/259,839 filed Nov. 10, 2009and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/285,395 filed Dec. 10,2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as ifrecited in full herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to surgical devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is estimated that over 30 million musculoskeletal injuries occurevery year in the United States. It is believed that over 50% of theseinjuries involve soft tissue tears (e.g., tendons). Unfortunately, someof these tissues will re-tear after surgical repair. For example,rotator cuff surgery has a very high rate of re-tearing (estimated atbetween about 20-70%). Conventionally, surgeons repair the tendons basedon experience and “feel”. Various tissue grasper devices used to repairtendons are known but there remains a need for devices that caneffectively measure and hold proper tension in order to promote healingof skeletal muscle and reduce the incidence of re-injury.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention are directed to devices and methods formeasuring (pre-load) tension applied to target tissue during surgery.

Some embodiments are directed to surgical devices that include: (a) atissue grasper; (b) a tension measurement device in communication withthe grasper whereby tension applied to tissue by the tissue grasper ismeasured; and (c) a limb mounting member configured to support thetissue grasper and releasably hold the surgical device on a limb of apatient.

Other embodiments are directed to surgical devices for rotator cuffrepair surgeries. The devices include: (a) a soft-tissue grasperconfigured to pull rotator cuff tendon associated with the rotator cuffrepair; (b) a tension measurement device in communication with thegrasper whereby tension applied to the rotator cuff tendon by thegrasper is measured; and (c) a circuit in communication with the tensionmeasurement device configured to define a target pre-load tension.

Additional embodiments are directed to methods of repairing a rotatorcuff injury. The methods include: (a) providing a device with a tissuegrasper and a tension measurement device; (b) pulling a detached tornrotator cuff down from a retracted intrabody position using the tissuegrasper; (c) measuring tension applied to the rotator cuff during thepulling step using the tension measurement device; then (d) maintaininga desired defined pre-load tension on the pulled rotator cuff using thedevice while affixing the rotator cuff to local bone.

Still other embodiments are directed to surgical devices that includetissue graspers, a tension measurement device in communication with thetissue graspers and a tissue elongation guide in communication with thetissue graspers to measure elongation of tissue held by the tissuegraspers.

The device may include a circuit in communication with the tensionmeasurement device configured to generate an audible and/or visualoutput when a target pre-load is met or exceeded.

The tissue graspers can be in communication with a releasably lockablegimble that can allow a user to pivot and lock the tissue graspers intoa desired orientation.

The device may include a circuit in communication with the tissueelongation guide and the tension measurement device, the circuitconfigured to: (a) monitor the measured tension; (b) generate an outputto a user when a target pre-load tension is approached, met and/orexceeded; and (c) measure tissue stiffness using data from the measuredtension and data from the tissue elongation guide.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods of repairing atissue injury. The methods include: (a) providing a device with a tissuegrasper and a tension measurement device; (b) pulling tissue from aretracted intrabody position using the tissue grasper; (c) measuringtension applied to the tissue during the pulling step using the tensionmeasurement device; then (d) maintaining a desired defined pre-loadtension on the pulled tissue using the device while affixing the tissueto local structure.

The methods may further include mounting the device to a patient priorto the pulling and measuring steps; and slidably extending, retractingand pivoting the tissue graspers while the device is mounted to thepatient. The measuring step can be carried out at least twice before themaintaining step, so that at least two different tension measurementsare taken with the limb in at least two different positions.

The methods may include measuring tissue elongation of the pulled tissueusing the device.

The foregoing and other objects and aspects of the present invention areexplained in detail in the specification set forth below.

It is noted that aspects of the invention described with respect to oneembodiment, may be incorporated in a different embodiment although notspecifically described relative thereto. That is, all embodiments and/orfeatures of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/orcombination. Applicant reserves the right to change any originally filedclaim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to be ableto amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporateany feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in thatmanner. These and other objects and/or aspects of the present inventionare explained in detail in the specification set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary device (shown mountedon a patient) according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 1 also illustratingan optional angle measurement device according to some embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2B is a top view of the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2C is a schematic illustration of exemplary angle positions of alimb which can be electronically measured according to some embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial section view of a portion of the device shown inFIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 4A is a bottom perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B is a side perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1,illustrated without an outer housing.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1, shownwithout the outer housing (guide) and the inner housing.

FIG. 6 is a top side perspective view of another embodiment illustratingthe device may be hand supported.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a devicewhich may be configured as a hand supported embodiment or as alimb-mounted embodiment according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8A illustrates a tissue grasper device applying a desired pre-load“T” onto a rotator cuff while the cuff is secured in position, typicallyto the humerus head.

FIG. 8B illustrates that, after repair, the cuff substantially maintainsthe desired tensile pre-load “T” applied by the tissue grasper in FIG.8A according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a device with a digital signalprocessor or ASIC that defines target (e.g., optimal) tensile loads fora given indication.

FIGS. 10A-10C are schematic illustrations of examples of User Interfacesfor the device shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 10C illustrates a graph ofdifferent angles of orientation (where used) with two lines thatelectronically compare tension applied to target pre-load tensionaccording to embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying figures, in which embodiments of theinvention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like elementsthroughout. In the figures, certain layers, components or features maybe exaggerated for clarity, and broken lines illustrate optionalfeatures or operations unless specified otherwise. In addition, thesequence of operations (or steps) is not limited to the order presentedin the figures and/or claims unless specifically indicated otherwise. Inthe drawings, the thickness of lines, layers, features, componentsand/or regions may be exaggerated for clarity and broken linesillustrate optional features or operations, unless specified otherwise.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms, “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,”“comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including” when used in thisspecification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, regions, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that when a feature, such as a layer, region orsubstrate, is referred to as being “on” another feature or element, itcan be directly on the other feature or element or intervening featuresand/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element isreferred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there areno intervening elements present. It will also be understood that, when afeature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or“coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected,attached or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may bepresent. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being“directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” toanother element, there are no intervening elements present. Althoughdescribed or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features sodescribed or shown can apply to other embodiments.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the present applicationand relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overlyformal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Embodiments of the present invention contemplate that repairing tissue(e.g., a torn or damaged tendon of a muscle-tendon unit) using a definedpre-set (pre-load) tension in a reliable and quantifiable manner willimprove surgical outcomes and/or reduce re-tearing of soft tissue. Inphysiology, pre-load tension is important to muscle function. Too littletension or too much tension can cause inefficient and/or inadequatemuscle force generation. It is believed that an injured tendon-muscleunit will have an optimal preload repair tension that can improvehealing potential post-surgery. It is also believed that the optimumtension may better line up the actin-myosin cross-bridging of themyofibrils. Embodiments of the present invention provide devices thatallow a surgeon to quantify the repair tension and possibly manipulatethe muscle-tendon unit during repair surgery in a way that optimizes therepair tension. Embodiments of the present invention can also allow ascientist to evaluate the effect of repair tension on muscle-tendonhealing/remodeling after tendon injury.

The terms “pre-load” and “pre-set” are used interchangeably and refer toa defined or specified tensile force or load (or range thereof) isapplied that target tissue should exhibit when attached to localstructure to promote healing and/or structural integrity. The targettissue can be soft tissue or hard tissue (e.g., bone). For example, itis contemplated that a rotator cuff undergoing surgical repair should beattached to the humerus head with a pre-load of between about 0.25lb_(f) (about 1 N) to about 2 lb_(f) (about 9 N) when the repaired cuffis attached to the humerus head and the arm is adjacent andsubstantially parallel to the patient's torso. However, embodiments ofthe present invention are not limited by the actual pre-load values butcontemplate that a specified pre-load is applied. Actual pre-load valuescan vary depending on specific parameters of each patient.

The target pre-load may differ depending on gender, age and the like ofa patient as well as the soft tissue and/or bone undergoing repair.Thus, an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) may have a different optimalpre-load than a rotator cuff, even in the same patient.

Embodiments of the invention are useful for veterinarian and human usesas well as for animal studies. That is, methods and devices provided byembodiments of the invention can be configured for any species ofinterest, e.g., mammalian including human, simian, mouse, rat,lagomorph, bovine, ovine, caprine, porcine, equine, feline, canine, andthe like.

Although described primarily for use with torn or otherwise damagedtendons, it is contemplated that the devices and methods will be usefulfor generating, measuring and maintaining a desired tension force intendons, ligaments, nerves, tubular vessels (e.g., a ureter or bloodvessel), the dermis, bone, flap (tissue) surgery (full thickness,partial thickness and the like) and hard tissue. The devices and methodscan be configured to apply, measure and/or maintain tension on acombination of the anatomical structures during a surgical procedure oran animal study.

Embodiments of the invention can also or alternatively electronicallymeasure stiffness. Stiffness may be directly or indirectly determined bythe tendon tension and tendon extension relationship.

Embodiments of the devices can also or alternatively be used to measurea change in length of tissue along with or in response to the appliedtensioning (e.g., tendon extension). The measurement can beelectronically performed using, for example, a proximity sensor that cancommunicate with grasped tissue held by the graspers 15 (FIGS. 1-5) toassess a change in length in relationship to a stationary portion of thedevice 10. The change in length can be relayed to a display (on-boardand/or remote such as those discussed below).

The devices can be configured for arthroscopic, robotic and/orconventional open surgery.

The term “tissue” refers to soft tissue (e.g., nerves, blood vessels,ligaments, tendons, colon, intestine and the like) and hard tissue(e.g., bone).

Referring now to the figures, FIGS. 1-5 illustrate one embodiment of asurgical device 10. As shown, the device 10 includes a tissue grasper 15attached to an elongate member 17 that communicates with a tensionmeasurement device 20. The tissue grasper 15 can be configured as aclamp-like member with prongs or ends that form substantially an “L”shape as shown. However, other configurations of the tissue grasper 15can also be used as appropriate. One or both inside faces of the grasper(that contact and hold tissue) can include an anti-slip surface. Thissurface can be formed as a rough surface finish, include an anti-slidecoating or material, and/or have an uneven surface configuration (e.g.,peak and valley type surface) to inhibit slippage. The elongate member17 can be a substantially rigid shaft as shown or may be a cable, suchas a Bowden cable. Combinations of shafts and cables may also be used.Where cables are used as the external component, the end of the cablecan be attached to the bone using a screw or other fixation device sothat the cable does not move with respect to the tendon so that tensioncan be measured.

The tension measurement device 20 can be mechanical and/orelectromechanical, including, for example, one or more of the following:a tension transducer, a tension meter (including a digital tensionmeter), and a load cell. The tension measurement device 20 can reside ina housing 19 that can include graduated indicia 201 of tensile loadapplied by the tissue grasper 15 to local structure. Alternatively, oradditionally, the device 10 can include a display 21 that providestensile load readout to a user (FIG. 7).

As shown, a portion of the shaft 17 is held in a housing 19 with aresilient member 22, shown as a coil spring 22 s. The resilient member22 is able to elastically compress, typically linearly, against an innerwall or surface of an inner housing 24. The resilient member 22 can be aplug or block of elastomeric material, and/or one of a plurality ofspring washers, dome washers, leaf springs, coil springs and the like.As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the resilient member 22 is a coil spring 22 s.The elongate member 17 extends through an axially extending channelformed by the coil 22 s and is able to slidably extend in and out of theend of the housing 19 facing the graspers 15.

FIG. 3 illustrates that the elongate member (e.g., shaft) 17 can resideabove a platform 30 with a slot 30 s. The housing 19 can slide in theslot 30 s. The platform 30 includes opposing ends 31, 32. The slot 30 sextends at least a major length of the platform and ends proximate thesecond end 31 (the end away from the graspers 15). The graspers 15 canextend beyond the bounds of the other end of the platform 32. As onealternative to this configuration, the platform 30 can be configured tohave an outwardly extending projection that engages a slot extending ina lengthwise direction in the housing 19 to allow the graspers 15 toslidably extend and retract relative to the platform 30 (not shown).Other sliding configurations may also be used.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the device 10 can also include a threaded shaft28 that communicates with a user accessible handle 28 h such as a thumbwheel or other user handle that allows a user to turn the threaded shaft28. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrates the inner housing 24 without the guide19 (the guide may also be described as an outer housing). The innerhousing 24 can slide using downwardly extending projections 24 p in theslot 30 s within the guide 19. In operation, the housing 24 is pulledback (toward the handle 28 h) by turning the threaded member 28 causingthe housing 24 to slide within guide 19 and causing the threaded member28 to contact and increase compression on resilient member 20, shown asthe coil spring 22 s, pushing the resilient member 20 (such as the coilspring 22 s) against the inner wall 24 i (FIG. 4) of the housing 24resulting in increased tension on the grasped tendon or other tissue.The tension is identified on a display 21 (FIG. 7) and/or by thegraduated indicia 20I on the guide 19.

In some embodiments, the resilient member 20 comprises a coil spring 22s with a “K” stiffness value sufficient to generate a tension of up toabout 15 lb_(f) (about 67 N) in a limited travel/displacement of betweenabout 1-10 inches.

During use, a physician or other clinician can slidably extend thetissue grasper 15 to contact and grasp target tissue such as a retractedrotator cuff in the body. When the grasper is closed, the handle 28 hcan be turned to pull the closed graspers 15 outward while applying atension at a defined load using the tension measurement device 20. Thistype of operation may be referred to as a two-stage process. The firststage is extending the graspers 15 to contact the desired tissue. Thesecond step is to measure tension as the tissue is pulled into positionduring surgery and held at the position with the pre-load tension whilethe tissue is secured in the position with this pre-load. A cliniciancan then suture, screw, staple or otherwise secure the target tissue tolocal structure so that, when secured, the attached target tissuesubstantially has the desired pre-load tensile force.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate that the device 10 can be limb-mounted using a limbmount member 50 that can be belted or strapped to a patient usingstrap/belts 52. The device 10 may also or alternatively be configured tocooperate with a pole or bed (e.g., a pole, table, cart or bed mountedversion). That is, the device can include a mount member that attachesto a pole, table, cart or bed instead of the patient limb or incombination with the limb mount (not shown).

Where used, the limb mount member 50 may alternatively or additionallybe adhesively attached to a patient using straps 52 that have anadhesive surface for releasably attaching to the skin of a patient.Additionally or alternatively the body of the support 50 may have anadhesive on a patient-contacting surface. It is also envisioned that thesupport 50 may also be modified to be torso mounted. The limb mountmember 50 can be concave or contoured to fit the target limb. The limbmount member 50 can be provided in various sizes to accommodatedifferent size patients (e.g., S, M, L, XL).

The straps 52 can comprise cloth, fabric, leather or other suitable,typically elastic, material and/or combinations thereof The straps 52can be configured to inhibit slippage. The straps 52 can besubstantially planar or may be tubular (e.g., a rope-like) configurationor other suitable configuration that has a length sufficient to encircleor extend about the torso and/or limb of a subject. The straps 52 may beprovided in S, M, L and XL sizes to fit different anatomical sizes ofpeople or may be provided in a universal size. The straps 52 can beattached to clasp or buckle that allows for almost any desiredadjustable length.

The device 10 can mount to the limb using a joint 70 that allows lateraland longitudinal rotational (pivoting) movement about an axis so thatthe tensile force can be measured while a patient's limb is movedthrough a variety of different angles or orientations (from 0, 15, 30,45, 60 and 90 degrees) without requiring that the tissue grasper 15release the tissue. The tension force measurement device 20 may bezeroed at different orientations/degrees.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the device 10 can also optionally be configured toelectronically measure an angle of inclination 300 of the arm or otherlimb associated with axis “A-A” which in FIG. 2A is substantiallyvertical (“0” degrees of inclination) with the arm at the side of thepatient. The limb mount 50 can include an angle measurement device 160(e.g., optical, electrical or electro-mechanical) that communicates witha read-out and/or display on-board or remote from the device 10. Themeasurement device 160 can be integral with the body of the limb mount50 or attached to the extension member 60 or otherwise be provided to beable to measure the different angles of inclination during a procedure.The device 10 may have a User Interface that allows a user toaffirmatively indicate when the device should measure tension at acertain angle of orientation (e.g., “measure now”) which can cause thedevice to electronically measure (and record) both angle and tension.Thus, the tension “T” at different angles of inclination can beelectronically measured and correlated. FIG. 2C schematicallyillustrates the device 10 with the arm at two additional angles ofinclination “a1, a2”. The different angles and the differentmeasurements can be stored in a circuit/memory for ease of analysis ofpatient records or animal study data records.

As shown in FIG. 3, the joint 70 can comprise a gimble ball 70 g. Theterm “gimble” refers to a pivoted support that allows the rotation of anobject (here the graspers 15) in three-dimensions about a single axis.The hollow outer spherical member 70 h can reside on a lower surface ofthe upper platform 30 and the matably engaging ball 70 b can reside onan upper portion of the vertical support 60. In other embodiments, theball and spherical members are reversed, e.g., the ball 60 b is attachedto the upper platform 30 and the spherical hollow member 70 h isattached to the vertical member 60. The gimble 70 g can be releasablylocked into position. However, other joint configurations may be usedsuch as, for example, a spring, pin, linkages, cams, gears or otherpivoting or rotational configurations.

FIGS. 1-5 also illustrate that the device 10 can include a verticallyextending adjustable member 60 that can attach the limb-mount member 50to the platform 30 via the joint 70. The vertical adjustment member 60can include a slot that attaches to locking members 54 on the limb-mountmember 50.

FIG. 6 illustrates that the device 10′ can be hand-supported during useand does not require the limb mount described above. During use, onephysician (or a physician assistant, nurse or other clinician) can holdthe device in position at the desired pre-load tension during the repairwhile another secures the target tissue to local structure(s). Thedevice 10′ may also be configured to cooperate with a pole, cart, tableor bed (e.g., a pole or bed mounted version) as well (not shown).

FIG. 6 also illustrates that a user can measure applied tension “T” bymonitoring the indica 20I (e.g., graduated scale) on the tensionmeasurement device 20. No threaded member 28 or handle 28 h is required.The body of the housing 19 can slide rearward compressing a resilientmember 20 and the position of an indicator on the shaft or otherelongate member 17 can align with indicia 20I to define the tensile loadapplied by the graspers 15. This configuration can also be used with alimb mount 50 as described above or with a pole or bed mount. FIG. 7illustrates a device 10″ which includes a tension measurement device 20,such as a transducer 20T, in communication with the graspers 15 viaelongate member 17 (e.g., shaft or cable and the like). The device 10″can include an on-board display in electrical communication with thetransducer 20T which can visually show the measured tension. Again, thedevice 10″ may include a limb mount 50 as discussed above or can be usedwith a pole or bed mount.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an exemplary rotator cuff repair. As shown inFIG. 8A, the device 10, 10′, 10″ is used to apply a pre-load tension “T”onto the tendon while a surgeon attaches the tendon to the humerus head.When the tendon has been attached to the humerus head as shown in FIG.8B, the grasper 15 can release the tendon and the cuff has the desiredpre-load “T”.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the device 10′″. As shown, thedevice 10′″ includes the graspers 15 and an elongate member 17 that isin communication with a tension measurement device 20. The tensionmeasurement device 20 can be any suitable type device such as thosedescribed above. The device 10′″ can include a circuit 120 with anon-board digital signal microprocessor or ASIC (Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit) 120 that includes or communicates with a computertension guide module 220 or is otherwise programmed to provide at leastone defined pre-load tension, typically one or more defined pre-loadtensions for one or a plurality of different target tissues (potentiallycorrelated to gender and/or age). The device 10′″ can optionally includean on-board display 21. The device 10′″ can also be configured towirelessly communicate with a (larger) remote device 228 with a display221 such as a clinician workstation or personal digital assistant andthe like. The device 10′″ can be configured to measure tension load in aplurality of different positions (e.g., between 0-90 degrees).

As shown in FIGS. 10A-10B, the device 10′″ can be configured to providea UI (user interface) 229 that allows a user to select the desiredtension for a target tissue. The UI 229 can be associated with theremote display 221 and/or the on-board display 21. The UI 229 can be atouch screen, keypad or other entry. That is, the UI 229 can beintegrated into the device 10′″ or the device 10′″ can cooperate withthe remote device 228 that includes or communicates with a UI 229. Ifthe latter, the input and/or output can be wirelessly transmittedbetween the device 10′″ and the remote device 228.

FIG. 10A illustrates a UI 229 with a pull-down menu of different targettissues 230 (or the same target tissue but an age or gender input aswell). The selection of this parameter 230 can automatically orelectronically cause the device 10′″ to recognize the target pre-loadtension 231 for the patient and select that tension for monitoring asthe device reaches this tension “T”. An alert (audio and/or visual) canbe generated by the device 10′″ when the target tension has been reachedand/or if the pre-load tension is exceeded.

FIG. 10B illustrates the UI 229 can allow a user to enter a targetpre-load tension directly 232 and “set” this value for use during theprocedure.

As shown in FIG. 10C, in some embodiments, the on-board and/or remotedisplay 21, 221 can have a UI 229 that displays the measured loads as agraph as shown in FIG. 10C, illustrating Tension versus angle, the anglereferring to the angle or orientation of the limb or digit (e.g.,finger, thumb, toe). The measured loads can be graphically displayedadjacent target loads.

The device 10′″ can include a speaker 225 that can be configured toautomatically generate an audible alert such as a tone or a pre-recordedvoice/verbal instruction, word(s) or message. The device 10′″ may alsogenerate a visual alert (e.g., a flashing light or a “red” light and thelike) if a measured tension load exceeds or is under a target tensileload (in one or more orientations) and/or a visual or audible alert ifthe tension is within the desired range (e.g., a constant light ratherthan a flashing light, a green light, a different audio or verbalmessage from that generated when the load is over or under the desiredload and the like). The alert can be automatically transmitted or outputwhile the grasper 15 is in the body and engaging tissue. The grasper 15can be configured to automatically activate the tension measurementdevice when closed. The grasper 15 can include a proximity sensor or maybe configured to define a closed or open circuit when closed toelectronically automatically activate the tension measurement device 20.The device can include an on-board power source. The tension measurementdevice 20 can be in communication with the power source. The powersource can be a small battery, such as a pancake type battery or othersmall battery. The device 10′″ may also have an on-board digital camerafor generating images of the grasper 15 and/or target tissue during theprocedure.

The circuit 120 can include a digital signal processor and/or anApplication Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) (e.g., ASIC and/orprocessor with software) that includes or executes part or all of thecomputer readable program code for generating the tension measurement,readout and/or alert. The circuit 120 or module 220 can include a dataprocessing system which may, for example, be incorporated or integratedinto the processor. The processor can communicate with or includeelectronic memory. The processor can be any commercially available orcustom microprocessor. The memory is representative of the overallhierarchy of memory devices containing the software and data used toimplement the functionality of the data processing system. The memorycan include, but is not limited to, the following types of devices:cache, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, SRAM, and DRAM.

The processor or memory may include several categories of software anddata used in the data processing system: the operating system; theapplication programs; the input/output (I/O) device drivers; and tensiondata.

As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the operatingsystems may be any operating system suitable for use with a dataprocessing system, such as OS/2, AIX, or zOS from International BusinessMachines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., Windows CE, Windows NT, Windows95,Windows98, Windows2000, WindowsXP, Windows Visa, Windows7, Windows CE orother Windows versions from Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash., PalmOS, Symbian OS, Cisco IOS, VxWorks, Unix or Linux, Mac OS from AppleComputer, LabView, or proprietary operating systems.

The I/O device drivers typically include software routines accessedthrough the operating system by the application programs to communicatewith devices such as I/O data port(s), data storage and certain memorycomponents. The application programs are illustrative of the programsthat implement the various features of the data processing system andcan include at least one application, which supports operationsaccording to embodiments of the present invention. The data representsthe static and dynamic data used by the application programs, theoperating system, the I/O device driver and the like.

The device 10′″ can wirelessly communicate with a workstation and/orother remote computer device 228. The remote device 228 can include adisplay 221 can communicate with a computer which includes a portal andan Application that allows the tension data to be graphically displayedfor a patient record or other data record. The device 10′″ cancommunicate with the remote device 228 via a computer network includingan intranet or the internet with the appropriate use of firewalls forpatient privacy and compliance with HIPPA (Health Insurance Portabilityand Accountability Act) or other regulatory rule or authority.

The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to beconstrued as limiting thereof Although a few exemplary embodiments ofthis invention have been described, those skilled in the art willreadily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplaryembodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined inthe claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses, if used, areintended to cover the structures described herein as performing therecited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalentstructures. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing isillustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed aslimited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications tothe disclosed embodiments, as well as other embodiments, are intended tobe included within the scope of the appended claims. The invention isdefined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to beincluded therein.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A surgical device for rotator cuff repairsurgeries, comprising: a soft-tissue grasper configured to releaseablyengage and pull rotator cuff tendon associated with a rotator cuffrepair; and a tension measurement device in communication with thegrasper whereby tension applied to the rotator cuff tendon by thegrasper is measured, wherein the soft-tissue grasper has or is attachedto an elongate shaft that extends in a direction away from tissuegrasping prongs associated with the soft tissue grasper, and wherein thetension measurement device comprises a housing with a resilient member,the housing holding a portion of the elongate shaft so that the elongateshaft, the housing and the resilient member cooperate to provide adefined tension to a rotator cuff tendon.
 2. The surgical device ofclaim 1, wherein the device is configured to hold the rotator cufftendon at the target pre-load tension and hold the tendon at thispre-load tension while a physician attaches the tendon to local bone. 3.The device of claim 2, further comprising an arm mounting memberconfigured to support the soft tissue grasper and releasably hold thesurgical device on an arm of a patient while allowing the tissue grasperto pivot relative to the arm mounting member.
 4. The device of claim 1,wherein the tissue grasper has an elongate shaft that extends in adirection away from tissue grasping prongs associated with the tissuegrasper, the device further comprising a housing with a resilientmember, the housing holding a portion of the shaft so that the shaft,the housing and the resilient member cooperate to provide a definedtension to the rotator cuff tendon.
 5. A method of repairing a rotatorcuff injury, comprising: providing a device with a tissue grasper and atension measurement device; pulling a detached torn rotator cuff downfrom a retracted intrabody position using the tissue grasper; measuringtension applied to the rotator cuff during the pulling step using thetension measurement device; then maintaining a desired defined pre-loadtension on the pulled rotator cuff using the device while affixing therotator cuff to local bone.
 6. A method according to claim 5, furthercomprising: mounting the device to a patient prior to the pulling andmeasuring steps; and slidably extending, retracting and pivoting thetissue graspers while the device is mounted to the patient, wherein themeasuring step is carried out at least twice before the maintainingstep, so that at least two different tension measurements are taken withthe arm in at least two different positions.
 7. A surgical device,comprising: tissue graspers; a tension measurement device incommunication with the tissue graspers; and a tissue elongation guide incommunication with the tissue graspers to measure elongation of tissueheld by the tissue graspers.
 8. The device of claim 7, furthercomprising a circuit in communication with the tension measurementdevice configured to generate an audible and/or visual output when atarget pre-load is met or exceeded.
 9. The device of claim 7, whereinthe tissue graspers are in communication with a releasably lockablegimble that can allow a user to pivot and lock the tissue graspers intoa desired orientation.
 10. The device of claim 7, further comprising acircuit in communication with the tissue elongation guide and thetension measurement device, the circuit configured to: (a) monitor themeasured tension; (b) generate an output to a user when a targetpre-load tension is approached, met and/or exceeded; and (c) measuretissue stiffness using data from the measured tension and data from thetissue elongation guide.
 11. A method of repairing a tissue injury,comprising: providing a device with a tissue grasper and a tensionmeasurement device; pulling tissue from a retracted intrabody positionusing the tissue grasper; measuring tension applied to the tissue duringthe pulling step using the tension measurement device; then maintaininga desired defined pre-load tension on the pulled tissue using the devicewhile affixing the tissue to local structure.
 12. A method according toclaim 11, further comprising: mounting the device to a patient prior tothe pulling and measuring steps; and slidably extending, retracting andpivoting the tissue graspers while the device is mounted to the patient,wherein the measuring step is carried out at least twice before themaintaining step, so that at least two different tension measurementsare taken with the limb in at least two different positions.
 13. Amethod according to claim 11, further comprising measuring tissueelongation of the pulled tissue using the device.
 14. The device ofclaim 10, further comprising a limb mounting member configured toreleasably attach to a limb of a patient and hold the surgical device onthe limb of a respective patient.
 15. The device of claim 14, whereinthe tissue grasper is pivotably attached to the limb mounting member andis able to rotate longitudinally and transversely relative to the limbmounting member.
 16. The device of claim 14, wherein the limb mountingmember comprises an elongate body with a plurality of straps extendingtransversely therefrom.
 17. The device of claim 15, further comprising aslidably adjustable mounting arm with a slot that is lockably attachedto the limb mounting member to allow for vertical adjustment of thetissue grasper.
 18. The device of claim 15, wherein the limb mountingmember has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the device further comprisesan upper platform that extends transversely to the longitudinal axis ofthe limb mounting member, the upper platform having opposing first andsecond end portions, wherein the first end portion resides above and isrotatably attached to an upper end portion of the limb mounting member,and wherein the tissue grasper is slidably held by the upper platform soas to be able to retract and extend in a lengthwise direction of theupper platform.
 19. The device of claim 18, further comprising a housingslidably mounted to the upper platform, wherein the upper platformcomprises a slot that extends in a lengthwise direction whereby thehousing is able to slidably translate back and forth in the slot. 20.The device of claim 19, wherein the device further comprises an axiallyextending threaded member with an external handle with the threadedmember comprising a portion that resides inside the housing, and whereinthe threaded member is able to threadably retract and extend in alengthwise direction relative to the upper platform in response torotation of the handle.
 21. The device of claim 7, wherein the tissuegrasper has a first tissue-contacting end portion and an opposing spacedapart second end portion, the device further comprising: an elongatemember attached to the second end portion of the tissue grasper; ahousing configured to allow the elongate member to slidably extend andretract therefrom; and a resilient member residing in the housing incommunication with the elongate member, wherein the resilient member isconfigured to cooperate with the housing and elongate member to apply anadjustable tensile force to target issue held by the tissue grasper. 22.The device of claim 21, wherein the resilient member comprises a coilspring that compresses against the housing, and wherein the elongatemember is a shaft and is configured to extend through a channel definedby the coil spring.
 23. The device of claim 14, wherein the device isconfigured to allow the limb of the patient to move into or throughdifferent positions while the limb mounting member remains in positionon the patient.
 24. The device of claim 18, wherein the upper platformis attached to the limb mounting member using a gimble that residesbetween the upper platform and limb mounting member to allow the tissuegrasper.
 25. The device of claim 14, further comprising a slidablyadjustable mounting arm with a slot that is lockably attached to thelimb mounting member to allow for vertical adjustment of the tissuegrasper.
 26. The device of claim 14, wherein the limb mounting memberhas a concave contour.
 27. The device of claim 7, wherein the tissuegrasper has a pair of cooperating outer prongs with anti-slip surfacesthat pivotably close together in parallel relationship in front of apivot attachment of the prongs to trap soft tissue therebetween forpulling trapped soft tissue outwardly, and wherein the tensionmeasurement device comprises an elongate shaft that extends in alongitudinal direction to be longitudinally aligned with lower shaft ofthe tissue grasper.
 28. A surgical device, comprising: a tissue grasperhaving a first tissue-contacting end portion and a lower shaft with alongitudinally opposing spaced apart second end portion; and a tensionmeasurement device in communication with the tissue grasper wherebytension applied to tissue by the tissue grasper is measured, wherein thetissue grasper has a pair of cooperating outer prongs with anti-slipsurfaces that pivotably close together in parallel relationship in frontof a pivot attachment of the prongs to trap soft tissue therebetween forpulling trapped soft tissue outwardly, and wherein the tensionmeasurement device comprises an elongate shaft that extends in alongitudinal direction to be longitudinally aligned with the second endportion of the lower shaft of the tissue grasper.
 29. The device ofclaim 28, further comprising a limb mounting member configured tosupport the tissue grasper and releasably hold the surgical device on alimb of a patient, wherein the device is configured to allow the limb ofthe patient to move into or through different positions while the limbmounting member remains in position on the patient.
 30. The device ofclaim 28, wherein the tissue grasper has an upper shaft that ispivotably attached to the lower shaft to provide the pivot attachment ofthe prongs, and wherein the upper shaft has a second end portion thatallows a user to push against the upper shaft to close the prongstogether, and wherein the elongate shaft of the measurement deviceextends a distance longitudinally away from the prongs of the tissuegrasper, the tension measurement device further comprising: a housingconfigured to allow the elongate member to slidably extend and retracttherefrom; and a resilient member residing in the housing incommunication with the elongate member, wherein the resilient member isconfigured to cooperate with the housing and elongate member to apply anadjustable tensile force to target issue held by the tissue grasper. 31.The device of claim 30, wherein the resilient member comprises a coilspring that compresses against the housing, and wherein the elongatemember is a shaft and is configured to extend through a channel definedby the coil spring.